Hertfordshire Fire and Rescue Service's Local Intervention Fire Education (Life) course

Project: Hertfordshire Fire and Rescue Service's Local Intervention Fire Education (Life) course

Funding: The £8,000 cost of each monthly course is shared between Hertfordshire County Council and the relevant district council

Aim: Intensive fire service training to divert young people away from crime

Each month a group of around 15 young people at risk of offending are offered the chance to complete a week-long intensive training course with Hertfordshire firefighters.

Those who attend the courses, which take place across the county, are referred by a range of providers such as Youth Connexions Hertfordshire and local youth offending teams.

During the week they take part in hosepipe and breathing apparatus training, ladder skills, basic first aid and assessing an accident scene. Responsibility is a strong focus of the course and young people are given personal responsibility for a fire engine and ensuring its equipment is safe to use. At the end of the course, there is a passing out parade at the fire station, which involves a fire safety demonstration by the young people in front of family and friends.